Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. This destruction of the cells of the pancreas leads to insulin deficiency and high blood sugar, which leaves the patients at substantial risk for disease complications and fully dependent on daily insulin injections for survival. Furthermore, the incidence of T1D is on the rise globally, which highlights the importance of finding a cure or a way to prevent the development of the disease. Current research in T1D has mainly focused on immune cells called T cells, as well as dendritic cells and macrophages. However, there is compelling evidence on the involvement of an immune cell type called neutrophil in the pathological process of T1D. Neutrophils are multi-functional cells that play an important role in viral and bacterial infections but have been shown to participate in autoimmune diseases. This PhD project investigated the role of neutrophils in terms of their functional capabilities and different subtypes in T1D.
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